Pneumatic torpedo-firing apparatus.



No. 709,335. 3 Patented Sept. l fi, I902.

- s. LAKE. 3

PNEUMATIC TURPEDO FIR'NG APPARATUS.

(Application flied Jan. so, 1902. (No Model.)

4 Sheetzg-Shaet I.

INVENTEIR I SLQWX gQ KWW, w

1n: Moams Fnzns 00., mqwgumcq WASHINGTON. n. c.

:No. 709,335. "Patented Sgpt. l6, |i 02 I S. L'AKE. PNEUMATIC TDBPEDO FIRING APPARATUS.

- (Application filed m so, 1903. (No Model.) I 4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

INENTU F1 .No. 709,335. Patented Sept. [6, 1902.

, s. LAKE.

PNEUMATIC TUBPEDO FIRING APPARATUS.

(Application filed Jan. 30, 1902.)

4 Sheets-Shut 3,

(No Model.)

II iwuun T No. 709,335. Patented Septplfi; I902. s. LAKE.

PNEUMATIC TUBPEDO FlBING APPARATUS.

(Application film} Jan. 30, 190%) V (No Model.) 4 sheets-eshoat' 4-. z

m i\\ w INVENTEIR l A I TNE NORRIS vzrsns 0a.. Pnumurna. WASHINGTON, n. c.

UNITED STATES ATENT FFICE. 1

SIMON eant BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT.

PNEUMATIC TORPEDO-FIRING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 709,335, dated September 16, 1902.

Application filed January 30, 1902. Serial No. 91,871. \No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SIMON LAKE,'a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Bridge-' Firing Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates more particularly to pneumatic apparatus for discharging self-p r opelled torpedoes from war vessels, and is designed especially for use in connection with submarine torpedo-boats, in which the firing apparatus should be fully controlled by a gunner stationed in the most favorable position for ascertaining the direction and distance from such vessel of the object at which the torpedo is to be discharged and in which also it is of the utmost importance that the entrance of external water through the torpedo-tubes should beprevented during submergence and that proper safeguards should be provided to prevent the premature firing of the torpedoes, so as to endanger the safety of the vessel and its occupants.

To-this end the invention consists partly in devices located within the conning-tower or turret of the boatfor controlling the torpedofiring apparatus, partly in inboard and outboard caps for closing, respectively, the breech and muzzle of the torpedo-tube and means for maintaining the one closed while the other is opened for the introduction or discharge of the torpedo, partly in means for maintaining the torpedo locked within its tube until both caps of the latter are in their respective operative or firing positions, partly in means for looking a torpedo in the firingtube until the expulsive medium employed in ejecting the same produces in said tube a predetermined minimum pressure to cause the disengagement of such locking mechanism for the release of the torpedo, and partly in certain other features which will hereinafter appear. r

In the annexed drawings, in which the present improvements are shown embodied in a submarine torpedo-boat, Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of the stern portion of the boat, illustrating the apparatus embodying my invention and disclosing a portion of the within the boat.

conning-tower'or turret containing the valves by which the pneumatic portion of the torpedo discharging apparatus is controlled. Fig. 2 is a similar view, upon a larger scale, showing the torpedo-tube and the adjacent portions of the apparatus set for-the introduction of a torpedo from the interior of the boat and showing also the forward portion of a torpedo about to be placed in position in said tube. Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, butindicating the several operative parts disposed in readiness for the discharge of the torpedo. Fig. 4 is an external view of the parts shown in Fig. 2 with the stern or outboard end portion of the torpedo-tube in section. Fig. 5 is an end elevation of the apparatus viewed from the inner end. Fig. 6 is an outboard end elevation showing the stern of the boat and the sea-cap normally closing the muzzle of the torpedo-tube. Fig. 7 is a sectional elevation, upon an enlarged scale, showing one of the slings and the track by which reserve torpedoes are supported Fig. 8 is a sectional elevation, upon a still larger scale, showing the torpedo-locking devices; and Fig. 9 a bottom plan of the same. Fig. 10 is a vertical section of the main air-supply pipe with its gatevalve and the cylinder and piston constituting a motor by which such valve is operated, and Fig. 11 is a sectional elevation showing one of the locking devices for maintaining the sea-cap closed while the inboard cap is unseated.

The hull A of the boat is provided with a conning-tower or turret B, which is isolated from its interior by means of the floor U, having the hatch D to establish communication between said portions of. the boat which are otherwise separated by the water-tight wall or partition formed by the said floor 0. The erection of the conning-tower wholly above the hull enables the gunner or lookout stationed therein to see the enemy, even in a seaway, while the entire hull remains submerged, so that avery small target is oifered for the enemys guns, while the separation of the conning-tower or turret from the remainder of the boat by a water-tight wall or parstruck and pierced by a projectile, the filling of the conning-tower not endangering the foundering of the boat.

The torpedo-tube a is disposed longitudinally of the boat, as usual, and is shown arranged slightly above the axis or center line of the cigar-shaped hull and somewhat below the top of the superstructure E, in which are contained the firing-tank F and the main air-tank G, from which latter may be drawn the air for charging the firing-tank preferably for each torpedoexpelling operation. The torpedo-tube'is provided with a removable outboard or muzzle cap I) and a similar inboard or breech cap 0, the one pivoted to open downwardly and the other to open upwardly, respectively, and each being provided with a hinge 2, bolted to a bracket 3, secured to the tube a, with an interposed yielding or elastic packing 4, preferably of soft rubber,

a gasket 5, of similar material, being interposed between the end of the tube a and its respective cap. By the employment of the yielding packings 4 under the hinges'2 the application of external force, whether of the external water upon the outboard or sea cap I) or of the clamp-screw 6, carried by the transversely-pivoted yoke 7, pressing upon the segmental bearing-ribs 8, forming external seats therefor upon the inboard cap 0, insuresan equal distribution of pressure upon the opposed members, and thus prevents the leakage between the same, which has been liable to occur by reason of the uneven strains due to the rigidity of hinges such as have been commonly employed heretofore in similar positions. The sea-cap b is provided with a lateral arm d, extending beyond the pintle of the hinge 2 and connected, by means of a short link e, with a suitably-guided crosshead upon the adjacent end of the actuatingrodf, passing through stuffing-boxes in the air-cylinder g and attached to the piston h in said cylinder. The rod fis shown provided upon its inner end, adjacent to the breech of the torpedo-t ube, with a fixed sleeve or collar t, slidably fitted to a stationary inboard bearingj, depending from the tube a and having rearward of said bearing a square thread formed therein,'to which is fitted the internally-threaded hub of a hand-wheel 7c, constitutinga thrust-collar for preventing the premature or accidental retraction of the rod ffor opening the sea-cap. The inner end of the tube a is further provided with a depending socket-piece Z, within which is fitted a stop-plug m, having a fixed collar '71,, between which and the exterior of the tube a is preferably interposed a spring 0, operating to yieldingly maintain the lower end of the plug normally in the path of movement of the sleeved upon the rod f, as shown in Fig. 11', when the breech-cap is open. The

'lower portion of the stop-plug m is beveled upwardly and inwardly for engagement with the adjacent end of atappet-rodp, journaled rod the latter is forced into engagement with the beveled end of the plug m and presses the same upward in opposition to the spring 0, so as to withdraw the overhanging or latch portion from the closely-adjacent end of the sleeve 2' and rod f. The thrust-collark being now unscrewed from the sleevet' and compressed air being admitted into the cylinder g through the air-pipes r and "r" from the firing-tank F and the pipe 8 being simultaneously' connected with the outwardly-leading pipe 8' for releasing any air contained in the forward end of the cylinder by means of the four-way valve q in the conning-tower, the piston 72. is forced to the forward end of the cylinder g, and the rod is thus-actuatedto open the sea-cap against the external watervpressure. By reference to Figs. 3 and 5 it will be observed that when the outboard cap I) is open the rodf projects beyond the flange of the inboard cap 0, and thus efi'ectively prevents, the lowering of the swinging yoke 7, which is pivoted to the tube a concentrically with the curved bearing-rib 8 to release the inboard cap, and it is therefore to be understood that both caps can never be open at the same time, so as to endanger the swamping of the boat by admission of water through the torpedo-tube.

The torpedo T is shown provided with an annular external shoulder olfered by the wall of a small conical or tapering aperture or recess t in its outer surface, which is preferably formed in a small casting secured to the exterior of the torpedo, and this recess is entered by the beveled or conical end of lockingpin 11., formed upon or secured to the piston '11 of a cylinder 10, attached to the under side of the torpedo-tube and having its adjacent end in communication with the interior of the same by means of the holes or ports 00. The lower end of the pin u is beveled rearwardly and downwardly and arranged to barely clear the upper edge and the forwardshouldered end 10 of a stop projection 9 upon the rod f, the opposite end of which projection termina'tes in a beveled portion 11, extending rearwardly in the direction of the sea-cap. The piston 'u is provided with guide-rods y, extending through the lower end of the cylinder w and terminating in the cross-pieces z, serving as handles for manually withdrawing the spiral springs 12, interposed upon said guiderods between the piston o and the head of the cylinder to when a torpedo is being introduced. It is obvious that by an arrangement of parts by which the cylinder to is disposed upon the top of the tube a and assumes an inverted position the pin u and its attached piston Q) will gravitate into operative'relatubea, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, is provided with a gate-valve 14, of which the stem is attached to the piston 16, contained within a cylinder 17, disposed axially in line with said valve-stem and constituting a motor which is controlled by a four-way valve 18, located with the-opposite ends of the cylinder 17 by means of air-pipes l9 and 20. By pperating the valve 18 to open the gate-valve 14 air is admitted from the firing-tank F into the breech end of the torpedo-tube 0t, and the outboard cap'b having been opened by the retraction of the rod f, whose stop projection 9 thus assumes the position indicated in dotted lines inFig. 8, the stern portion of the torpedo T resists the pressure of the air behind it in the tube at until its intensity is sufficient to overcome the tension of the springs 12 in the communicating cylinder w, when the locking-pin u is retracted from its aperture in the exterior of the torpedo, which latter is then discharged fromthe tube and its internal propelling machinery simultaneously set in motion in the customarymanner. As the torpedo-tube a is in practice always free from water while the torpedo is being placed in position, whether itrbe introduced from the exterior while the boat is upon the dition of stability which would be disturbed by the introduction or expulsion of a torpedo or other object materially affecting the gross weight of the boat. A vent-pipe 25, controlled by a petcock 26, is also provided, preferably, in the breech-cap a, leading from the upper portion of the tube a, for admitting and releasing the air displaced by or replacing the water.

' In order that a reserve torpedo may be carried in convenient position in the interior of the boat in addition to that which is normally housed in the tube a ther ceiling of that portion ofthe hull adjacent to the breech of the torpedo-tubeis provided in the Vertical plane of and parallel with the axis of said tube withan overhead inverted-T. rail 27, forming a track upon which are mounted two or more carriages or trolleys, each consisting of a frame 28 and wheels or rollers 29, from which frame is suspended a sling comprising a circular band 30, formed in two pivotally-connected sections having their opposed lower ends provided with perforated ears or lugs 31, united by a clamp-bolt 32, and provided also upon opposite sides with eyes 33, by which it may be suspended by a block and tackle when introducing the torpedo embraced thereby into the tube a or when lowered to the floor for purposes of inspection or adjustment, when such bands may rest upon their legs 34-, also depending therefrom.

In the equipment of the boat with torpedoes while upon the surface of the water the sea-cap b is first opened and the torpedo introduced stern first The sea-cap is then closed and the breech-cap 0 opened and the torpedo withdrawn from the inner end of the tube a and suspended in the slings 30, in which it may be lowered to the floor by the use of a block and tackle by first introducing a tie-bolt 35 to connect the upper ends of the sections 30 and then withdrawing the hinge-pins 36, by which they are normally suspended from the carriage. As it is impossible to open either of the caps b or 0 while the other remains open, it is necessary to close the breech-cap a before opening the sea'cap b to receive the secondtorpedo, after which last-named operation the second torpedo is similarly introduced, the locking-pin to having been temporarily withdrawn by means of the handle-bars z in each case, while in the latter instance such pin is released when the torpedo reaches its normal position within the tube and the pin is allowed to enter its recess '15 therein to insure the proper location of the torpedo for the subsequent firing operation. The sea-cap is then closed and the thrust-collar 7c applied to its sustaining-sleeve 't' and seated firmly against the bearingj, which manual operation effectively prevents the effective actuation of the pneumatic portions of the apparatus while the collar 70 remains in such position. The valve 22 is then manipulated to admit external water through the pipes 21 and 24 to fill the otherwise unoccupied space in the tube a, the petcock 26 being opened for the escape of the air thereby displaced. To discharge the torpedo thus placed in position, the thrust-collar is first withdrawn from its locking position, and the breech-cap being closed and the stop-plug m being thus withdrawn from the path of the rodfair is admitted to the rear end of the cylinder 9 by means of the valve q to force its piston to the opposite end, and thereby retract the rodf to open the sea-cap b. During this operation and while the projection 9 is passing under the end of the pin it the torpedo is positively locked in its position thereby; but as the inclined end 11 of such projection passes under the pin the latter becomes free to yield to the air-pressure Within the cylinder to. v The fourway valve 18 inthe conning-tower is now operatedtowithdraw the piston and its rod to open the gate-valve 14, which establishes direct com munication between the firing-tank F and the breech end of the torpedo-tube a. As already stated, the torpedo is not immediately expelled, but remains lockedin place by the locki ng-pin it until the internal air-pressu re is sufficient to force the piston r of the connected cylinder 20 downward. in opposition to the springs 12,which are set to yield only at such a minimum pressure in the tube a as will cause the torpedo to assume a suitable initial speed to carry it clear of the boat to prevent subse quent collision and possible resulting disaster. The tube a being subsequently closedby reciprocal manipulation of the valves q and 18 in the conning-tower, the petcook 26 is first opened to admit air from the interior to replace the Water to be drawn off, and the water replacing the discharged torpedo is then led out through the pipes 21 and 24 by suit- ;able manipulation of the cook 22 into one of the water-ballast tanks, the equilibrium of I tion, after which the breech-cap may be opened and the reserve torpedo introduced, the procedure in the expulsion of which subsequent to the. closing of the breech-cap is similar to that already described. Should the air-valve 14 be first actuated accidentally by the gunner, the water in the closedtorpedotube will resist the outward movement of the torpedo, and when the pressure in such tube becomes sufficient to depress the locking-pin it such member is thrown into the pathof reciprocation of the shoulder 10 of the stop projection 9, and thereby serves to prevent the opening of the cap 1) to release the torpedo until such pressure is relieved, when the opening of the sea-cap will act to maintain the locking-pin in operation until the cap is entirely opened for the free discharge of the torpedo.

From the foregoing description it will be observed that while the present improvement is particularly adapted tosubmarine torpedoboats it has various features which are well adapted for operation in surface vessels fitted for firing torpedoes, and it is therefore to be understood that the invention is not limited to embodiment in submarine vessels only, nor is it limited to the particular construction and arrangement of parts herein shown and described, it being obvious that such matters may be widely varied without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Having thus set forth the nature of the invention, what I-clain1 herein, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In combination, a submarine boat provided with a conning-tower rising above the and a torpedo-tube, a compressed-air reservoir and a connection therefrom to the inner end of said torpedo-tube, and devices con- I trolled by means within the conning-tower for admitting compressed air to the torpedo-tube for expelling a torpedo therefrom.

2. In combination, a submarine boat provided with a conning-tower disposed upon the I exterior of and wholly above the hull of the .ting compressed air to the torpedo-tube for expelling a torpedo therefrom.

3. In combination, a submarine boatprovided with a conning-tower rising above the hull of the same and a torpedo-tube, a compressed-air reservoir, a pipe connection from said compressed-air reservoir to the inner end of said torpedo-tube, a valve in said pipe connection, a motor the movable member of which is connected to said valve, and means within the conning-tower for controlling the operation of said motor for actuating the said valve.

4. In combination, a submarine boat provided with a conning-tower rising above the hull of the same and a torpedo-tube, a compressed-air reservoir, a pipe connection from said compressed-air reservoir to the-inner end of said torpedo-tube, a valve in said pipe connection, a cylinder, a piston within said cylinder provided with a suitable connection with said valve, and means within the conning+tower for efiecting the movement of said piston to actuate the said valve.

5. In combination, a submarine boat provided with a conning-tower rising above the hull of the same and atorpedo-tube, inboard too and outboard caps for said torpedo-tube,

mechanism for opening the outboard cap from within the boat, means connected with or applied to the inner end of said torpedo-tube to provide expulsive power for ejecting a torpedo, means Withinthe conning-tower for operating the mechanism for opening the outboard cap of said torpedo-tube, and means also controlled from within the conning-tower for effecting the expulsion of the torpedo.

6. In combination, a submarine boat provided with a conning-tower rising above the hull of the same and a torpedo-tube, inboard and outboard caps for said torpedo tube, mechanism for opening-the outboard cap from within the boat comprising a cylinder and actuating-piston contained therein and connected with said mechanism, a compressed-air reservoir, a pipe connection from said compressed-air reservoir to the inner end of said torpedo-tube, a valve in said pipe connection, a second cylinder and actuating-piston contained therein and connected with said valve, and devices within the conning-tower for successively operating the said pistons to first open the outboard cap and thereafter open the valve in the said pipe connection for effecting the expulsion of the torpedo from said tube; l

7. In combination, a submarine boat provided with a conning-tower rising above the hull of the same, a torpedotube, inboard and outboard caps for said torpedo-tube, mechanism for opening said outboard cap from within the boat, a stop device controlled by the inboardcap for locking the outboard cap in its closed position while the inboard capis open, a compressed-air reservoir, a pipe connection from said compressed-air reservoir to the inner end of the torpedo-tube, air-cylinders containing actuating-pistons connected, respectively, with a valve in said pipe coni p nection and said mechanism for opening the outboard cap, and means within the conningtower for successively admitting air to said air-cylinders tofirst open the outboard cap and then actuate said valve to admit air to the torpedo-tube to expela contained torpedo.

8. In combination, a submarine boat provided with a conning-tower rising above the hull of the same, a torpedo-tube, inboard and outboard caps for said torpedo-tube, mechanism for opening said outboard cap from within the boat, a stop device for preventing the operation of said mechanism while the inboard cap is open, a locking device normally engaging a torpedo within saidtube provided with means forcausing it to release said torpedo at a predetermined air-pressure in said tube, an air-reservoir, a valved connection from said air-reservoir to the inner end of the torpedo-tube, and means within the conningtower for first actuating the outboard-capopening mechanism and then admitting air to the torpedo-tube for expelling the contained torpedo. r

9. In combination, a submarine boat provided with a conning-tower rising above the hull of the same, a torpedotube, inboard and outboard caps for said torpedo-tube, a looking device normally engaging a torpedo within said tube provided with means for causing it to release said torpedo only at a predetermined minimum air-pressure within said tube, mechanism for opening said outboard cap from wlthin the boat including a stop for prevent- .ing the releasing operation of'said torpedolocking device during the opening of said outboard cap, an air-reservoir, a valved connection from said air-reservoir to the inner end of the torpedo-tube, and means within the conning-tower for first actuating the outboard cap-opening mechanism and then admitting airto the torpedo-tube for expelling the contained torpedo.

10. In atorpedo-boat, the combination with a torpedo-tube and outboard and inboard caps therefor, of means for preventing the opening of one of said caps while the other remains 11. In a torpedo-boat, the combination with a torpedo-tube and outboard and inboard caps therefor, of pneumatic apparatus for opening said outboard cap, and a stop device for preventingthe operation of said apparatus to open said outboard cap while the inboard cap remains open.

12. In a torpedo-boat, the combination with a torpedo-tube and outboard andinboard caps therefor hinged thereto, a rod supported in bearings adjacent to said tube connected with said outboard cap and provided with means for moving the same to and fro for opening and closing said outboard cap, a stop device serving to normally look said rod from movement while the inboard cap is open, and a device intermediate said inboard cap and the locking device whereby the latter is caused to release said rod to permit the opening of the outboard cap.

13. In a torpedo-boat, the combination with a torpedo-tube and outboard and inboard caps therefor, of an actuating-rod disposed parallel with said tube and connected with said outboard cap, and means for moving said rod to and fro for opening and closing said outboard cap, a locking device consisting of a transversely-movable plug normally projected into the path of movement of said actuating-rod, and a retracting device for said 'plug normally projecting into the path of "said inboard cap and operated when the latter is closed to withdraw the said plug from the path of movement of said actuating-rod.

14. In a torpedo-boat, the combination with a torpedo-tube and hinged outboard and inboard caps for the same, of an actuating-rod connected with said outboard cap and disposed parallel with said tube, means for moving said rod to and fro to open and close said .outboard cap, and a locking device for preventing the movement of said rod while the inboard cap is open, the same consisting of a socket-piece attached to the torpedo-tube and provided with a stop-plug having its'projecting outer end normally lying in the path of said actuating-rod and closely adjacent to the end of the same, and beveled with an upward and backward incline, and a tappet-rod interposed between the beveled end of said plug and the path of movement of the inboard cap upon its hinge, whereby the closing of said inboard cap upon the end of said tappet-rod causes the withdrawal of said locking-plug from the path of movement of said actuating-rod to permit the opening of the outboard cap.

15. In atorpedo-boat, the combination with a torpedo-tube, of a cap for closing one end of the same, a hinge for said cap, a rigid seat formed upon or attached to said tube, an elastic or yielding packing interposed between said hinge and its seat, means for securing said hinge to its seat, and an elastic or yield-- ing packing interposed between the end of said tube and its cap.

16. In a torpedo-boat, the combination with a torpedo-tube, of a cap for closing one end of the same, a hinge for said cap, a rigid seat formed upon or attached to said tube, an elastic or yielding packing interposed between said hinge and its seat, an elastic or yielding packing interposed between the end of said.

' one end of the same having a curved external seat, a packing interposed between said cap and the end of said torpedo-tube, and a yoke having arranged concentrically with said curved external seat a transverse pivotal connection with said tube and adapted to engage the external seat of said cap.

18. In a torpedo-boat, the combination with a torpedo-tube, of a removable cap for closing one end of the same having a curved external seat, a packing interposed between said cap and the end of said torpedo-tube, a yoke having arranged concentrically with said curved external seat a transverse pivotal connection with said tube and adapted to swing across the end thereof provided with said cap, and a clamp-screw carried by said yoke and adapted to engage the external seat of said cap.

19. In a torpedo-boat,the combination with a torpedo-tube, of a locking device for normally engaging a torpedo housed in said tube, and means actuated by a predetermined minimum pressure within said torpedo-tube for disengaging said locking device from the torpedo. 20. In a torpedo-boat,the combination with a torpedo-tube, of a locking-pin for normally engaging an external shoulder of a torpedo contained within said tube, a cylinder communicating with the interior of said torpedotube, and a piston within said cylinder and connected with said locking-pin to withdraw the latter at a predetermined minimum pressure within said torpedo-tube.

21. In a torpedo-boat,the combination with a torpedo-tube having a removable outboard or muzzle cap, of a locking-pin for normally engaging an external shoulder upon a torpedo contained within said tube, a cylinder communicating with the interior of said torpedo-tube, a piston within said cylinder connected with said locking-pin, and a stop de vice connected with said outboard cap and so constructed and arranged as to maintain the torpedo-locking device in operative position between the extreme open and closed positions of said outboard cap.

22. In a torpedo-boat,the combination with a torpedo-tube, and a compressed-air reservoir, of a pipe connection from said air-reservoir to the inner end of said torpedo-tube, a valve in said pipe connection, a cylinder, a piston within said cylinder having its rod 23. In a torpedo-boaathe combination with a torpedo-tube, and a compressed-air reservoir, of a pipe connectionbetween said compressed-air reservoir and torpedo-tube,a gatevalve in said pipe connection, an a1r-cyl1nder disposed axially in line with said gatevalve and having a piston whose rod is directly connected with the stem of said gatevalve, and means for supplying compressed air for actuating said piston to open and close said gate-valve.

24. I In a torpedo-boat,the combination with a torpedo-tube and a removable outboard cap therefor, of a power-operated device for opening and closing said cap, and a manual locking device for preventing the actuation of said power-operated device to open said cap, when desired.

25. In a torpedo-boat, the combination with a torpedo-tube and a removable outboard cap therefor, of a rod connected with said cap and extended within said boat, a stationary inboard bearing to which the inner portion of said rod is slidably fitted, and a longitudinally-movable thrust-collar upon said rod adapted to engage said inboard bearing for preventing the movement of said rod.

26. In a torpedo-boat, the combination with a torpedo-tube and a removable inboard cap therefor, of an overhead rail or track disposed in the vertical plane of and parallel with the axis of said tube, and torpedo-carrying slings depending therefrom.

27. In a torpedo-boat, the combination with a torpedo-tube and a removable inboard cap therefor, of an overhead rail or track disposed in the vertical plane of and parallel with the axis of said tube, carriages mounted upon said track, and torpedo-carrying slings removably attached to and depending from said carriages.

28. In a torpedo-boat, the combination with a torpedo-tube and a removable inboard cap therefor, of an overhead rail or track disposed in the vertical plane of and parallel with the axis of said tube, carriages mounted upon said rail or track, and torpedo-carrying slings attached to and depending from said carriages, said slings being formed each in two separable semi-annular sections united at the opposed ends by means of pivotal pins and by a clamp-bolt, respectively, and adapted to be separated for the reception of a torpedo.

29. In a torpedo-boat, the combination with a torpedo-tube and a removable inboard cap therefor, of an overhead rail or track disposed in the vertical plane of and parallel with the axis of said tube, carriages mounted upon said rail or track, and torpedo-carrying slings attached to and depending from said carriages,said slings being formed each in two semi-annular sections 30 having the opposed ends connected at the point of suspension to the carriage, through which they are united together, by means of removable pivotal pins 36 and clamp-bolt 35, and at the opposite point of connection by means of a clamp-bolt 32, each section being also provided with a suspension-eye 33. i

, 30. In a torpedo-boat, the combination with atorpedo-tnbe having removable inboard and outboardcaps, of acompressed-air reservoir, 

